User Tools

Site Tools

Sidebar

Provocation 6

Address social isolation and other challenges through a blend of online and offline - they dont need to be different worlds.

Digital technology can enable virtual friendships that lead to meetings,
support social learning, and underpin projects for new forms of sharing
both on the physical world and online. The greatest benefits may come
from blending face-to-face and online activities.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has explored neighbourhood approaches to
loneliness in four areas over three years, and being older tops the list
of factors contributing to loneliness. The research is revealing ideas
on how a neighbourhood can support people who are lonely - some of which
may be supported by technology.

From evidence elsewhere, a mix of texts, phone calls, online networking,
visits and informal get-togethers can help build a social network
through which people can provide mutual support.

Contributors on the Gransnet forum say how important virtual friendships
can be - while also emphasising the importance of physical presence.
Innovative projects are now being developed that use digital technology
to encourage and support local connections.

DropBy online is a supportive online community, with chat rooms and
special interest groups that also encourages get-togethers. Other
projects use online systems to facilitate meeting and sharing: meals
(Casserole Club); accommodation (Room for Tea); cooks tips and
collaborative cooking sessions (League of meals)

Shirley Ayres, whose blog focuses on sharing resources to promote the
use of social media in social care, provides an excellent roundup of
these and projects showing How the Internet and digital technology can
combat isolation.